This is so funny, every single, EVERY SINGLE city I visited, I was asked for directions; sometimes by tourists, sometimes by locals, sometimes by people native to that country...sometimes several times in that city. AND...I knew the answer (when asked in English) most of the time. I had been in London only 2 hours and a man with an English accent asked me for directions to the Tube (subway) station - Sloane Square. And I knew the answer! In Paris, several people approached me and spoke French and although I'm not fluent, I know enough to realize they were asking directions. When I replied in English or my bad French, they smiled and said "Oh la la, I thought you were French" Well, they didn't say it like that - imagine it spoken with a thick French accent and accordion music in the background, dancers in black berets and striped shirts...but I digress. One woman complimented me on my scarf. When I was in Milan walking down the street, a car pulled up with a family inside, the woman rolled down the window and in Italian asked for directions. When I replied in Italian, they laughed and said they thought I was Italian. In each of these instances I was not carrying a map or wearing my rucksack. I guess I have the continental look, that Je ne c'est que!!
LONDON:
Derek, the owner of the Cartref House B&B in London, was so warm and friendly in the morning while serving breakfast. He was full of reliable information about sites, transportation and what's new in the city. And it didn't feel invasive or anything; it got all of us in the room talking and comparing notes or giving each other the inside scoop about certain sites. It really did make a nice start to the day and a great start to the trip.
Helping a woman figure out the "open hours" at the Post Office in the Belgravia neighborhood. She asked me if I knew when the Post Office was open, what time it was, and then we reviewed the posted sign of the hours. Then we started chatting about the best place to eat in the area, traveling and how to discipline cats who misbehave. I wasn't much help with the cat disciplinary issues.
The pensioners (seniors) at the train station who couldn't believe I was carrying such a large rucksack on my back. The kept saying "Why, you're just a wee little lass" and "You're only little" with their English accents. It was so cute.
BATH:
The boat ride with the retired couple from New Castle - north of York - who sat and talked with me for whole time. It was a fun and easy conversation. They had been to America several times and we spoke of the places they had been, what Seattle is like - I thought they should visit the next time they tour the west coast. We also talked about daily life and lifestyles. Although the man's accent was a bit thick and I had to ask him several times to repeat himself - it was a blast.
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND:
My B&B, Gil Dun House, was like in a palace. The room was nicely appointed, comfortable, WARM, and made me feel like royalty. It was such a joy to come home at the end of a long day of walking and sightseeing to a room like that. The draperies were padded for warmth, darkness and there were beautiful, fluffy pillows, a choice of blankets, a TV (I got hooked on a nighttime soap opera called "Eastenders" and I still wonder WHAT happened!) and the most amazing breakfast selection I have ever seen in a B&B; there were five wonderful choices. The woman who took my breakfast order asked "What will it be today, honey?" in her thick Scottish accent.
Holyrood Palace, where the Queen stays when she's in town which apparently is often. It was so cool to tour.
PARIS, FRANCE:
Arriving at the airport and thanks to Rick Steves' finding the place to buy a bus ticket (I had the exact amount in euros - already changed my money in Scotland), navigating the metro and finding my hotel quickly and without incident. I felt a bit proud of myself really.
The magical moment on my first night when I realized that my hotel was only about 30 yards away from far end of the Eiffel Tower park. Then the next day, while wandering around the Rue Cler neighborhood I decided to turn around and buy a pastry at a shop I had passed. And BAM! there it was - the Eiffel Tower peeking above the city in plain sight. It was a thrill that I will always remember.
Shopping on Isle De Saint Louis with Leigh and then going to lunch...did I mention I was in Paris?!
AVIGNON, FRANCE:
While Standing at a clothing shop looking through the racks of clothes, I look up and what do I see approaching me? A group of 50 Nuns in full habit (Franciscan - light gray clothes) walking single file down a narrow street. I didn't dare take a picture, it seems sacrilegious somehow, but I will never forget. Each woman was carrying a bag of goodies, some were smiling, some looked stern and they were all wearing sneakers...It was quite a sight.
Sitting on the train from Vernazza to Milan and upon overhearing a conversation in English, jumping up, going to the next compartment, introducing myself, and inserting myself into their conversation just to hear English (Australian accent).
MILAN, ITALY:
I paid a mint for a novel written in English and spent the rest of the day on my bed reading. Just to see English in written format. My first taste of Italian-style tiramisu. Seeing the Last Supper in real life. Discovering that Italian TV is made up of American TV dubbed in Italian. I think watching the Jeffersons and Columbo were my all time favorites.
VENICE, ITALY:
Accidentally attending an evening mass at a church (I think it was St. Andrew's). I sat down for a while and the priest came out and starting in with the signing and handing out programs and I was too tired, too embarassed and frankly, too interested to leave.
FLORENCE, ITALY:
Sitting on a pew in Santa Croce church contemplating life and listening to the peaceful silence.
ROME:
Spending time with a couple from Kansas and asking the man to repeat himself a few times because he's northern Texas (where he grew up) so thick I wasn't sure I knew what he was saying. We went to the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel together and a few meals as well. Their company was delightful and invaluable to me.
Seeing the Sistine Chapel in real life.
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